Powerhouse Parramatta Contracts Referred To ICAC Amid Procurement Probe

Contracts Referred To Anti-Corruption Watchdog

The procurement practices surrounding the new Powerhouse Parramatta museum have been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, escalating a governance inquiry that has already led to the suspension of the institution’s chief executive. The referral centers on a series of contracts awarded in the lead-up to the museum’s long-awaited opening on November 7, including a high-profile ambassador role granted to a celebrity chef.

Suspended CEO And Governance Investigation

Lisa Havilah stood aside as chief executive on August 27, pending a departmental investigation into governance and procurement practices. The suspension came just 72 days before the billion-dollar Parramatta facility was scheduled to open. Freedom of information documents later revealed 14 perceived conflicts of interest involving Havilah, who has denied any wrongdoing. The investigation examines whether proper processes were followed in awarding contracts and engaging consultants during a period of significant expenditure.

Controversial Ambassador Appointment

A focal point of the scrutiny is a two-year contract worth $440,000 awarded to celebrity chef Kylie Kwong as the museum’s culinary industry leader and ambassador. The appointment, effective from August 1, was confirmed via a NSW government contract notice published on October 3. This occurred one month after the museum’s $2.6 million “Associates” program — which had included Kwong among nine creative identities — was terminated on June 30. At that time, Havilah had stated associates would not receive continuing roles.

The new part-time role does not involve catering or food venue operations. Kwong and Havilah have a long-standing creative partnership dating back to Havilah’s tenure as director of Carriageworks, where Kwong curated the Night Market from 2017 to 2019. Kwong has publicly described Havilah as her “great mentor.”

Procurement Process Questions

The museum maintains the ambassador contract was awarded through an open request-for-quote process advertised on the Buy NSW platform, in line with the NSW Procurement Policy Framework, and approved under the institution’s financial delegations. However, the Powerhouse has declined to specify who at the museum approved the contract. The timing — effective during Havilah’s final weeks in the role and finalized after her suspension — has drawn criticism from the Public Service Association of NSW, which represents cultural institution workers.

Sector Concerns And Overspending

The PSA has raised concerns for years about expenditure at the Parramatta site and the engagement of consultants, questioning both necessity and cost. Assistant secretary Troy Wright said the new contract confirms members’ fears that the museum is transforming into an entertainment precinct rather than a museum. A salary of $220,000 is categorized as executive level in the NSW public service, and Wright argued the operating model is incongruous with government efforts to reduce consultant spending.

Former Powerhouse trustee Leo Schofield criticized the emphasis on food programming, noting the institution’s mandate as a museum of applied arts and sciences. The Associates program, which included artists, photographers, and culinary figures, cost $2.6 million over five years, though individual payments were not disclosed. Another consultancy contract worth more than $200,000 was issued to support operational readiness of commercial food and beverage offerings.

Opening Amid Scrutiny

Despite the controversy, invitations have been issued for preview events on November 6 ahead of the public opening. The museum has confirmed admission pricing, with a family of four paying $60 for the largest exhibition and an additional $40 for a James Turrell installation. Treasury Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter has acknowledged concern over a reported $70 million spending spree before opening, stating work is underway to help the institution operate within its budget. The museum says Kwong’s contract will focus on industry engagement, public programming, and advocacy, including workshops, masterclasses, and food experiences for the new Parramatta venue.